Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: Question (Read 5164 times)

I'm sort of curious as to why POZ Magazine is not interested in covering this event. This is the third year in a row that POZ folks and their NEG friends have gotten together. We come from many parts of the world. We are a family that loves and cares for each other. This event is not just a fun weekend. It shows what the power of this disease can do to unite us as a body of people that care deeply for each other. It shows our solidarity to fight until a cure is found. Each year we have held a Memorial Service for those who have gone before us. POZ Magazine get on board our wagon and celebrate with us.

Why not just a link or adverticement on the top of the web page. Every year we go through this and for some reason the owners of aidsmeds never have anything to say or comment about this area. To me if I were wanting more people to attend I would be getting the message out more. There could even be and ad put over on the POZ magazine itself. Just seems like this is always our gathering and all the other ones sit back and twittle there thumbs. Tim Horn did attend last years event, and also Andy did as well. Come on Peter this is your site of all places you need to be seen more or at least advertise more about these gatherings.

I sent a comment POZ about covering the event (meaning me doing a write up) but the free text field was quite limited. About a week later they emailed me suggesting I write them a letter. Guess I'll pu on some 80's clothes, sit down and write that letter this week.

If they really wanted to participate in the gatherings they would come over and respond from time to time.

A page should be set aside in the POZ magazine just about the Forums Gathering.

This should have been done back in January.

I will make a suggestion also if you have a web page on another site beside here let everyone you know about the gatherings. Also let them know about AIDSMEDS. People in my area here have never heard of AIDSMEDS.COM or POZ magazine.

This is just my opinion...but I think one thing we need to keep in mind is this event is not sanctioned by either AidsMeds or POZ. There was growth in attendance last year and this year looks to be the same. This is still primarily a social gathering of members from the AidsMeds forums. Heavily promoting this gathering outside of these forums has the potential to drastically change the dynamics of the gathering.

I believe this topic was touched on a couple of years ago. Some desired the more intimate feeling the gathering now holds while others were looking for something larger.

40 - 60 attendees is absolutely manageable from a group coordinator's point of view. Anything beyond that would require massive planning and organization.

I've personally seen this years gathering advertised on other websites from members. However, advertising in POZ or other like newspapers has the potential to draw greater interest and raise attendance. Perhaps this is something we as a group can begin thinking about and decide if this is the route we want to go next year. I have no doubt even without this type of publicity attendance will continue to increase next year and therefore, planning for next years event should begin immediately after the conclusion of this years gathering.

If they really wanted to participate in the gatherings they would come over and respond from time to time.

A page should be set aside in the POZ magazine just about the Forums Gathering.

This should have been done back in January.

I will make a suggestion also if you have a web page on another site beside here let everyone you know about the gatherings. Also let them know about AIDSMEDS. People in my area here have never heard of AIDSMEDS.COM or POZ magazine.

Dennis makes a lot of sense about managing a large group. It would be nice if POZ / Aidsmeds sponsored an 'event' during the gathering. By that, hosting (meaning organizing and paying for) a speaker, a reception with food and drinks, or something would be nice. After all, a lot of members that are attending the AMG contribute a LOT to these forums. That increases the number of hits this website gets. More hits should increase revenues from advertising.

The banner on the AIDSmeds home page featuring, Regan, Peter and Tim has really stirred my craw. How self serving are you? So you all spent three weeks "down under" at an international AIDS Conference. Big whoop! How about spending one day with us here in the USA?

I am planning an ad hoc gathering in San Fransisco to discuss this situation and the future of the use of the name "AMG" for our future events.

The ball is in your court. Regan, Peter and Tim it's time you speak your minds!

I've been lazy and haven't posted the letter, but I just tried to email to the link they provide (news@poz.com) and guess what? Delivery Failure! I guess I really need to snail mail the damn thing. I'd love to see my name in a byline, but more than that I think this is a good opportunity to market a very special part of poz.com.

Logged

Dan J.

I don't know, kind of torn between wanting to keep the gathering a more intimate event but at the same time would like to see it grow larger than just the members of this forum. At the same time I think a story in Poz magazine would be a great idea. It would bring more focus to the aidsmeds forums & show that we actually are a COMUNITY of friends that support & care for one another through the good & bad times.

I enjoyed Tim's presentation last year very much & was hoping that some sort of similar "event" would be planned for this year.

Dan(who appreciates all the hard work & planning by Dennis & the Grants Committee)

I want to preface my post by saying I'm speaking from my own personal views and not that of this years coordinator.

I have mixed feelings about whether or not AidsMeds or POZ should participate.

My interpretation of this and past gatherings is that it's a social gathering of persons who share something in common; Living with HIV/AIDS. If I remember correctly, There was never any indication or requirement from AidsMeds to participate in any official manner. This is "OUR" gathering and not AidsMeds or POZ's. We currently have the power and make the decisions regarding "our" gathering.

However, some participation from AidsMeds and POZ would be nice. Keep in mind though, with their participation we ultimately risk most or all of the decision making in future gatherings. Decisions such as destination, "official events", etc. We then have to look at attendance and manageability if this event were to be advertised and sponsored. This annual event has the ability to spiral into a direction that we, the members, may or may not be able to manage on our own.

My suggestion would be to focus on what we have going on for us this year. With a month to go, it's too late in the game to require much from either POZ or AidsMeds. Enjoy this year and the company of everyone attending. Upon our return, we can then regroup and begin to discuss what this annual event ultimately means to each and everyone of us and the direction we'd like to see it go. Attendance has grown a small percentage each year. Planning for next year should definitely begin shortly after we return.

Bringing Aidsmeds/Poz into the picture, and to what degree, would certainly mean a loss of some of our own creative control. Right now the size is certainly managable. The AMG guy has done such an incredible job this year (just take a look at the program) however, that I have no doubt that should the gathering "spiral" off into new directions, however great in magnitude, HE would still be able to manage it to a very, very successful completion.

I totally agree, but I still think that some sort of support from AIDSmeds/POZ is not out of the parameters of the Gathering. Take a look at who is attending this year and see how many years many of us have supported AIDSmeds. I think it's time for a bit of a pay back. Kick me if I'm wrong and I will go on with a bruised butt.

Ric

Logged

Dan J.

My suggestion would be to focus on what we have going on for us this year. With a month to go, it's too late in the game to require much from either POZ or AidsMeds. Enjoy this year and the company of everyone attending. Peace,Dennis

You're not wrong Rick. That's for sure. I agree. You said something that needs to be said and let's see how things go after we get back. You're right. Without us AIDSMEDS wouldn't exist. But without AIDSMEDS, I would have never met you on the balconey in Toronto or gone to your wedding in Montreal. So let's enjoy SF. I'm sure there will be more to say after the Gathering.

I also have mixed feelings about how I feel regarding this. I do think a "gesture" of support would be most welcome and appreciated. You might think POZ would be interested in reporting on this small but international gathering....but if not, it certainly doesn't affect me one way or the other.

Logged

"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

I keep reading this thread and get confused each time because it seems like the "question" has become 3 questions. (Which isn't a big surprise I know. Meaning me being confused. )

Ric's original "question" was about Poz Magazine doing a story on our gathering. Right?

That may or may not happen depending on what Bosquo finds out. O.K. that question seems to be addressed for now.

But then the topic seemed to shift to a question as to whether AIDSMeds would be either: 1.participating or 2. supporting us in some way.

Dennis mentioned that Peter said he wouldn't be able to come but was supportive of the work he was doing. So from that I just assumed that Tim wouldn't be available either to do a repeat of the fantastic presentation he gave us last year in Montreal.

So that only leaves us with the question of whether they wanted to do something small as a gesture toward the gathering.

Have we actually asked them for anything specific? Maybe that's what we should have done. I don't know.

Personally, like Alan mentioned, while some gesture would be nice, it doesn't really matter to me whether it happens or not.

Dennis has brought so much new energy and ideas to this year's gathering that I don't know how we could make it any better.

Because of the generous donors the Grants Committee has raised a phenomanal amount of money and have helped a record # of people attend.

Our total attendee number is larger than last year.

All in all, I'd say whatever happens regarding the "question" we've got a great gathering waiting for us. This shouldn't take anything from that in my opinion.

SAN FRANCISCO HERE WE COME!RAB

(Who wishes they would have sent Ann over cause he's been wanting to smack her for quite sometime. Since she's on that darn rock though, he can't reach that far! RATS! [can't remember why I want to smack her, but I'm sure I'd like to and then run like hell cause she'd pulverize me.])

Like I said in reply back in June, it would be nice if POZ offred something... anything... an event, a reception, just something. As it is, there's a certain gratification that comes from doing things oneself. Dennis, Gerry, Jan, and others have certainly done a lot.